Campus forum explores multiple facets of war

by Beka Feathers

In an attempt to give students, faculty, and staff a chance to discuss a possible war with Iraq, on Tuesday, Mar. 11 Lewis & Clark hosted a campus-wide forum entitled “Campus Forum on the Prospect of War.” Both students and professors participated in the program, which lasted three hours and included panels, music, and open mike periods for comments from the audience.

Despite skepticism from some sectors, President Michael Mooney emphasized that the point of the forum was to provide a place for bipartisan discussion of the potential war.

“This is no rally for peace. It’s certainly not a rally for war. It’s no rally at all,” he said. “We are gathered as a community of students and teachers to reflect.”

Assistant Professor of Philosophy Rebecca Copenhaver addressed the point of the forum in her presentation. “I must make my reasons clear to myself so that I can present them to others,” she said. “I must realize that I have not only the ability, but the duty, to change my mind if others present compelling reasons. The moment I admit that I may be wrong, I finally achieve what I seek—genuine knowledge.”

Speakers ranged from Professor of International Affairs Bob Mandel to Satya Byock, ’04 speaking on three panels, titled “How Did Our World Get To This Point?,” “Would This War Be Legally Justified and Politically Effective?,” and “Is the War Morally Justified?” respectively.

In the first panel Senior Lecturer Cyrus Partovi gave a brief history of Iraq in an effort to explain the issues behind the current war. He discussed Iraq’s forcible creation by the League of Nations at the end of World War I, and it’s management by Britain for the next fifteen years, as well as the oppressive regimes encouraged by the Great Powers throughout the Middle-East.

“We must understand the history of this region, or we will not be able to understand its complexities,” he said. “It is unfair to suggest, ladies and gentlemen, that the people of Persia and Iraq would not like to enjoy the same democracy as you or I.”

Partovi predicted the cost of creating a viable democracy in Iraq would be “ten years and billions of your dollars,” but stressed that “without the American presence in the Middle East, the Kosovo and Bosnia killings would look like a Sunday picnic.”

Professor of Law Paula Abrahamson addressed the proposed war in the light of constitutional law, and stressed that the right of the United States to attack Iraq was more complicated than just the interpretation of the Constitution. “It is important to remember that the protection of liberty does not lie only in the hands of the courts,” she said.

Students who attended the forum found it informative and a genuine attempt at bipartisanship. Freshman Leigh Halverson said she was very impressed with the administration and faculty’s efforts.

“I think the questions were typical but honest and the students participated well,” she added.

Other topics mentioned at the forum were the media’s presentation of the events of the past year and the proposed Domestic Security and Enhancement Act, dubbed Patriot II.

“Violence in the media is an antidote to American boredom,” said Professor of Religious Studies Alan Cole, while explaining the media’s focus on the subject.